Thou shalt not raise, the margin reads, Thou shalt not receive a false
report, for sometimes the receiver in this case is as bad as the
thief; and a backbiting tongue would not do so much mischief, if it
were not countenanced. Sometimes we cannot avoid hearing a false
report, but we must not receive... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil — General usage will
never excuse us in any ill practice; nor is the broad way ever the
safer for its being crowded. We must inquire what we ought to do, not
what the most do; because we must be judged by our master, not our
fellow servants; and it is too... [ Continue Reading ]
Keep thee far from a false matter — From assisting or abetting an
ill thing. Yea, keep thee far from it, dread it as a dangerous snare.
I will not justify the wicked — That is, I will condemn him that
unjustly condemns others.... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou shalt not oppress the stranger — Though aliens might not
inherit lands among them; yet they must have justice done them. It was
an instance of the equity of our law, that if an alien be tried for
any crime except treason, the one half of his jury, if he desire it,
shall be foreigners; a kind pr... [ Continue Reading ]
The institution of the sabbatical year was designed, To shew what a
plentiful land that was, into which God was bringing them, that so
numerous a people could have rich maintenance out of the products of
so small a country, without foreign trade, and yet could spare the
increase of every seventh yea... [ Continue Reading ]
In all things that I have said unto you be circumspect — We are in
danger of missing our way on the right hand and on the left, and it is
at our peril if we do, therefore we have need to look about us. A man
may ruin himself through mere carelessness, but he cannot save himself
without great care an... [ Continue Reading ]
The Passover, Pentecost, and feast of Tabernacles, in spring, summer,
and autumn, were the three times appointed for their attendance; not
in winter, because travelling was then uncomfortable; nor in the midst
of their harvest.... [ Continue Reading ]
All thy males — All that were of competent years, and health and
strength, and at their own disposal. 'Tis probable, servants were
exempt: for none was to appear without an offering: but most of these
had nothing to offer.... [ Continue Reading ]
Some of the Gentiles, at the end of their harvest, seethed a kid in
it's dam's milk, and sprinkled that milk — pottage in a magical way
upon their gardens and fields, to make them fruitful. But Israel must
abhor such foolish customs. Is not this rather forbidden, as having
some appearance of cruelty... [ Continue Reading ]
Behold, I send an angel before thee — The angel of the covenant:
Accordingly the Israelites in the wilderness are said to tempt Christ.
It is promised that this blessed anger should keep them in the way,
though it lay through a wilderness first, and afterwards through their
enemies country; and thus... [ Continue Reading ]
Beware of him, and obey his voice; provoke him not — It is at your
peril if you do; for my name — My nature, my authority is in him.... [ Continue Reading ]
He shall bless thy bread and thy water — And God's blessing will
make bread and water more refreshing and nourishing, than a feast of
fat things, and wines on the lees, without that blessing. And I will
take sickness away — Either prevent it or remove it. Thy land shall
not be visited with epidemica... [ Continue Reading ]
The number of thy days I will fulfill — And they shall not be cut
off in the midst by untimely deaths. Thus hath godliness the promise
of the life that now is.... [ Continue Reading ]
I will send my fear before thee — And they that fear will soon flee.
Hosts of hornets also made way for the hosts of Israel; such mean
creatures can God make use of for the chastising of his people's
enemies.... [ Continue Reading ]